The embattled CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee resigned Wednesday, citing health problems, as the organization announced new initiatives to protect athletes from abuse.

Scott Blackmun, who has headed the committee since 2010, has been under fire for weeks in the wake of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal. He did not attend the Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, citing treatment for prostate cancer.

"Given Scott’s current health situation, we have mutually agreed it is in the best interest of both Scott and the USOC that we identify new leadership so that we can immediately address the urgent initiatives ahead of us," USOC Chairman Larry Probst said in a statement.

Nassar, the former team doctor for USA Gymnastics, has been convicted in three courts of charges that include possession of child pornography and abusing his former patients. More than 200 victims, including Olympic gold medalists Aly Raisman and Jordyn Wieber, testified against Nassar at his sentencing hearing.